Monday

On This Day: President Barack Obama hugs Amy Simpson, principal of Plaza Towers Elementary School, outside what remains of the school following a tornado in Moore, Okla., May 26, 2013 (Photo by Pete Souza)

Wednesday

On This Day: President Obama is reflected in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall as he delivers remarks during the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War commemoration ceremony in Washington, D.C., May 28, 2012 (Photo by Pete Souza)

I’m so surprised I’m first I had just opened my iPad and I had to sign in twice. Fortunetly I coped my first post to paste into second try. One of things I put off fixing wit ph Apple support because of my eye.

Am I getting this correctly?
At Phoenix VA, bonuses are given out if wait times are reasonable?
The wait times, however, exceeded reasonable limits, by far, and veterans ended up dying?
The books were doctored, suggesting that the wait times were reasonable, in order to still receive bonuses?
DC only knew what the People in Phoenix input in the computers?
Then Shinseki and Phoenix staff gets Fired?
Is that right?
If so, please explain how Shinseki would know, and shouldn’t people be assigned to double check these bonuses, ie wait times??

That sums it up Jovie. Sad but true. I think we all know that if Shinseki stayed (I think he should have) the Repugs would continue their witch hunt, no matter how trivial the issue would be, which would continue to impact our Vets.

Shinseki shouldn’t have resigned, but he did it for the good of the veterans. He knew he couldn’t do the job he needed to do without the media doing what they love to do and the politicians doing the same. So for the good of the VA he step down. And the good of POTUS.

IMO, the deliberate cover up (so bonuses wouldn’t be forfeited?!?!?!?!) and the amount of autonomy given to upper level management in running the individual facilities, it is reasonable to expect that the issues did not make it up the chain such that informed decisions could be made.

However, I find it hard to believe that those veterans and/or their families did not make any noise about the problems they were having in getting the health care and other services to which they were entitled. [They are certainly making noise now.] They would have most likely contacted their house representatives and senators to ask for assistance. I wonder how many requested help and were given a standard form letter in response without any action to assist. I suspect some of those congress people who have been acting so offended by the issues that have “come to light” are doing so because 1) they were already aware of the problems in their states and 2) did nothing about it; thus, condoning it by their inaction.

You are so right. No doubt they contacted McCain here in Phoenix. He is such a piece of shit did nothing until they could hang it on Shinseki. No doubt that whistleblower doctor contacted him. I am so sick of these scumbags we call Congress

Someone from the Phoenix office I think, afew minutes ago spoke on CBS Morning news and told how they cover up and fix things to look like the veterans weren’t waiting long times to see the doctor. This person didn’t show their face cause they were worry of losing their job. Plus this person talk of how supervisors did things like this to get bonuses. So we can expect the DOJ to look into this and they should.

It’s like Jay Carney said in the press conference yesterday… the media likes to run with “information” from indirect or third-person sources and treat it as if it were 100% fact when in actuality it is mostly opinion or speculation. That opinion/speculation is only given credence if it is dignified with a response…which is why l liked when JC refused to do so..

I just returned from a 3week visit to see my parents in Phoenix. The local news there did a lot of PBO bashing. But they also revealed that Senator McIdiot KNEW about the problems as the PHX. VA since 2012. The head of the NAACP wrote to him directly in 2012. And he did nothing. SURPRISE!

See golfer Phil Mickelson is under investigation for insider trading. Awwww. 2 FBI agents were waiting to talk to him when he finished his tourney round in Ohio on Thurs. Investigation has been ongoing for 3 years. I remember him crying like a baby about Ca. taxes and he was going to take his ball and Move Out of There! It always amazes me that a whole boatload of money is never enough for people with a whole boatload of money. How many houses and cars and stuff will it take to make them “happy”?

I’m reading from bottom up on the posts and started listening to West Wing Week. One of the first things our President says is I love these kids. <3 He is about building a better future for the Country. President Kennedy would say things like that too. In fact when he was Senator he was interviewed by either Huntley or Brinkley and Jackie was pregnant with Caroline. The interviewer asked if it were a boy if he would like to for him to get into public service? (1954) Sen. Kennedy said that he hoped if it were a boy or girl they would devote their lives to public service because he believed in that. :):):)
The most important political office in America is that of the private citizen. ~ Judge Louis D. Brandeis 😍

Does anyone else remember the shooting rampage in D.C. In 2001 or 2002? A woman was shot at a Hope Depot. . .
The press very worried about themselves then. Forgot the NRA response to it. Is Home Depot okay with this?

Health tip. . .
Did you know if you have a leg cramp you should shake your head several times and the cramp will soon be gone, within minutes. The cramp is the only reason I’m having a real time chat on R&S. Shaking my head and nodding did work. Just read it a couple days ago someplace. Oh and I looked at porn too. . . Photo porn. ;)

The jobs, energy independence, sustainable (because they are renewable) energy sources, the clean air and clean water, the reduction in carbon impact on the planet’s climate system are all critical, necessary outcomes of what President Obama has done and will announce on Monday.

But, the most important consequence of his actions is that he is literally sustaining humanity’s ability to persist (and, hopefully, evolve).

So awesome!! Swimming is near and dear in this family :) daughter swam since she was a tile and ended up being the captain of her high school team. Stayed with her… Now she supervises a pool and teaches lessons and is clifeguard. Swimming is awesome! Congrats to him for winning his event !!

Thanks df! Swiiming is not big in our family — few of us know how or took an interest. That makes their accomplishment all the more a big deal. He and his sister haven’t been doing it long, but they’ve taken to it as if they were born with gills! :-)

Congratulations to your cousins for both being in the special olympics, Dudette; and congratulations to your cousin that won the 25 meter swimming freestyle event. Please let them know that we are very proud of them.

I see rumors on a gossip site that George Clooney is planning to enter politics and the 2016 presidential race. I seriously doubt that’s true, but it sure would pep me up a bit from the expected doom and gloom of Obama’s impending departure.